Donor nations commit US$10.3 billion for millions of Syrians at home and as refugees abroad

International donors Thursday committed US$10.3 billion in aid for millions of Syrians battered by war, poverty, and hunger, both at home and as refugees abroad.

International donors said Thursday they would commit US$10.3 billion in aid for millions of Syrians battered by war, poverty, and hunger, both at home and as refugees abroad.

The pledges by 57 nations and 30 international organizations at an annual European Union-hosted conference in Brussels for Syria fell about US$800 million short of a United Nations humanitarian appeal.

"This is a tangible demonstration that the international community stands by the Syrian people,"said EU Humanitarian Aid Commissioner Janez Lenarčič, who closed out the day-long meeting at the headquarters of the 27-nation bloc.

He said the total of grants and loans was about US$875 million higher than last year's pledge. However, exact comparisons are difficult: commitments can be spread over years and different institutions. They can be affected by inflation and devaluations, and can partly recur later.

Yet the total seemed higher than what many had expected.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres had asked donors for US$11.1 billion, what he called "our largest appeal worldwide."

"My appeal is simple: Help us help the Syrian people," Guterres said. "We have no time to spare."